Quarantine and Florentine, aka: Put A Tree On It

This ring was part of Battle of the Rings: Ring Smackdown 2021, an online exhibition and competition. View the entire collection HERE, view the matches HERE, and learn more HERE.

Materials: sterling silver, cubic zirconia, brass
Size: 6.75
Dimensions: height 1-1/4",  band 3/8" 

Artist Statement:
Weathered and worn, but with a sense of the pristine - that's where my minds goes when I look at this little treasure. Encased by a rustic Florentine finish, and surrounded by a shimmering CZ halo, this tiny little evergreen is like a little moment of comfort in a time that is still so fraught with turmoil and uncertainty. Trees are a talisman of sorts for me, so it seemed fitting to have one become the focal point of this ring. Hollowform construction yields volume and presence without weight, and the channel set cubic zirconias are just the right size to blend right into one another. The variety of textures in this piece - the ribbon of stones, the soft, checkered feel of the Florentine, the carved surface on the tree - they all invoke the same experience I have when walking through the woods and letting my fingers gently play across the trees I pass by. This ring feels just as good cradled in one’s hands as it does on one’s finger.

Artist Bio:
Chris Gerber is a bench jeweler and maker practicing in Seattle, WA. The wild spaces of the PNW serve as inspiration and motivation Chris, both in and out of the studio. And just like last time, he loves pizza and long strolls through the woods.